Page 97 of The Christmas You Crash

LEXI

“You’re here,”Rachel squeals as she pulls me in for a hug. “Oh my god, I am so excited. I’ve missed you so much.”

Giving her a squeeze, I take a moment to soak up my best friend’s attention. “I’ve missed you more.”

“Impossible.” She scoffs. “You’re running around with a hot boyfriend and I’m here all alone, trying to one-up stupid Karl and busting my ass for an entry-level job opening that probably won’t pay all of my rent.”

“Dramatic much?”

She tosses her chestnut brown hair over her shoulder and strikes a pose. “Obviously. It’s why you love me.”

“One of the many reasons,” I agree. “Now, where should I put my stuff?”

“Adam is out of town for the week, visiting his sister, so he said you can take his room.” Rachel leads me down a short, narrow hallway and into a tidy little room that belongs to one of our other college friends.

“I’m still bummed he’s not here.” I can’t help pouting. Rachel might be my best friend, but add in Adam, and the three ofus were thick as thieves since sophomore year of college. If I’d stayed in Chicago, the three of us would have gotten a place together. I don’t keep in touch with him as closely as I do with Rachel, but we send each other dumb memes and check in periodically. There’s no denying the little twinge of nostalgia that twists in my chest, but I’m glad Rachel has him. I always feel better knowing that she’s got Adam to look out for her. Because this isn’t the best neighborhood. It’s not theworst, either, but Rachel walks everywhere. If some idiot had the audacity to follow her home, they’d be greeted by two hundred and fifty pounds of former-football-player, turn right back around, and run the other way.

Rachel stands in the doorway of Adam’s room and watches me toss my suitcase next to the bed. “He was really sad to miss you too. I promised him we’d FaceTime and drink margs together, even if we’re currently separated by hundreds of miles of cornfields.”

“That sounds like a great plan.” I twist my neck from side to side, cracking it. “I hate flying.”

“I know. Too bad your dad isn’t cooler, or you could have flown in with the rest of the team and been way more comfortable.”

My stomach lurches at the mention of my dad. “Yeah, that would never happen.”

“Maybe he’ll surprise you if you tell him.” Rachel’s expression says even she doesn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. “Be cool about it and glad you’re dating a great guy.”

“No. You know my dad.” Well, she knows of him from the stories I’ve told. He met Rachel once. The singular time in four years of college that he came to visit me. Even though he had to travel to Chicago regularly for Rogues’ games. Even after I offered to meet him wherever he was. He declined every time.Told me he didn’t want toinconvenience me. As if seeing my dad would have been an inconvenience.

Absently, I rub my chest.

“I know. But I can still hope he’ll stop being a selfish, clueless asshole one day.” She walks in the room to give me another hug, then grabs my hand. “Now, come on. You need to help me figure out what to wear to the game tonight. I have no idea what to expect.”

“Just wear layers,” I tell her as she drags me out of Adam’s room and toward their small kitchen. “With as cold as it is outside, you don’t really need to do anything special. Maybe double up on socks? You’ll be fine.”

“Okay. I can do that. Come help me make posters. I got two and a bunch of Sharpies. You make one to cheer Ryder on with, and I’ll make one that calls Chase’s manhood into question.”

It’s impossible not to laugh, because she does, in fact, have a whole poster-making station set up on the dining table. Along with a list of mean digs at Chase that she asks me to help choose between. Quite a few insult the size of his penis, a few insult his hockey skills, and a couple insinuate he’s a little too into his mom.

I veto those.

We’re in the middle of making our signs, and I’m telling her all about the last date Ryder took me on, when there’s a knock on Rachel’s apartment door. I turn to her. “Expecting someone?”

She looks confused. Her brow is furrowed as she looks at the door like it may bite her. “Nope. Do me a favor and grab the bat out of my coat closet.”

I laugh but do as she asks.

Rachel glances at the bat in my hand as she opens the door, keeping the chain lock engaged. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Rachel Keller?”

“Yeessss,” my friend drawls.

“Great, I’ve got a package for you. It requires a signature.” I edge closer and see the young guy hold up a parcel. He frowns when Rachel doesn’t immediately unlock the door. “Uh, you gonna sign for this? I have other deliveries to make.”

Rachel winces. “Yep. Sorry. One second.” She closes the door just long enough to disengage the chain before reopening it. The delivery guy looks annoyed, but he’s never been a woman living alone in a big city, so he can suck it.

As soon as Rachel signs on the dotted line, he hands her a good-sized box and walks away. Once the door’s shut and locked again, Rachel brings the mysterious package inside and reads the return address. One eyebrow arches, and then she looks up at me. “It’s from your boy toy.”

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